India and South Korea conducted the inaugural edition of their bilateral naval exercise at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea, around October 15, 2025, marking a milestone in Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation. In the same period, the Indian Army participated in AUSTRAHIND 2025 with Australia while the India-Russia naval exercise INDRA 2025 had been held from 28 March to 2 April 2025, underscoring India's expanding multi-vector defence partnerships. Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Jaguars, AWACS, and AEW&C aircraft also participated in a joint exercise with the Royal Navy's F-35Bs over the Indian Ocean Region. These exercises reflect India's Act East Policy, QUAD commitments, and efforts to build a free and open Indo-Pacific.
India and South Korea Hold Inaugural Bilateral Naval Exercise at Busan
AQuick answer
India and South Korea conducted the inaugural edition of their bilateral naval exercise at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea, around October 15, 2025, marking a milestone in Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation. Simultaneously, the Indian Navy commenced AUSTRAHIND 2025 with Australia and INDRA 2025 with Russia, underscoring India's expanding multi-vector defence partnerships. Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Jaguars, AWACS, and AEW&C aircraft also participated in a joint exercise with the Royal Navy's F-35Bs over the Indian Ocean Region. These exercises reflect India's Act East Policy, QUAD commitments, and efforts to build a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Key facts
- India and South Korea held their inaugural bilateral naval exercise at Busan in October 2025.
- India simultaneously conducted AUSTRAHIND 2025 with Australia and INDRA 2025 with Russia.
- IAF Sukhoi-30 MKIs and AWACS participated in a joint exercise with Royal Navy F-35Bs over the Indian Ocean.
- These exercises reflect India's Act East Policy and QUAD commitments for a free Indo-Pacific.
- India's multi-vector defence diplomacy now spans partnerships with South Korea, Australia, Russia and the UK.
- The Busan exercise marks a milestone in Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation between India and South Korea.
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Linked questionMedium
Which Indian Air Force aircraft participated in a joint exercise with the Royal Navy's F-35Bs over the Indian Ocean Region on October 14, 2025?
Explanation · Correct answer D
On October 14, 2025, Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Jaguars, AWACS and AEW&C aircraft joined Royal Navy F-35B aircraft from HMS Prince of Wales for a joint exercise over the Indian Ocean Region. The exercise tested interoperability between the two air arms in a maritime-air environment.
Source: PIB
Frequently asked questions
What was historically significant about the India-South Korea naval exercise held at Busan in October 2025?
The exercise at Busan Naval Harbour in October 2025 was the inaugural bilateral naval exercise between India and South Korea, marking a milestone in Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation and reflecting deepening defence ties under India's Act East Policy.
Which other naval exercises did India conduct simultaneously around October 2025?
Simultaneously with the India-South Korea exercise, India conducted AUSTRAHIND 2025 with Australia and INDRA 2025 with Russia, demonstrating India's multi-vector defence partnerships across different geopolitical blocs.
What Indian Air Force assets participated in the joint exercise with the Royal Navy's F-35Bs?
IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters, Jaguar maritime strike aircraft, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), and AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft participated in the joint exercise with Royal Navy F-35Bs over the Indian Ocean region.
How do these exercises reflect India's strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific?
The exercises reflect India's Act East Policy and QUAD commitments, showcasing its strategic posture of maintaining a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. India's simultaneous engagement with South Korea, Australia, Russia, and the UK also demonstrates its non-aligned, multi-vector defence diplomacy.
What is the significance of the Busan exercise for India-South Korea bilateral relations?
The inaugural Busan naval exercise signals the deepening of India-South Korea defence and strategic partnership. South Korea is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, and this exercise marks India's expanding military-to-military engagement beyond its traditional partners in the region.
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